Machine for marking mail-matter



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.. M. V. B. ETHRIDGE.

MACHINE FOR MARKING MAIL MATTER.

No. 468,775. Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

(No Model.) 3-Sheets Sheet 2. M M. V. B. ETHRIDGE.

MACHINE FOR MARKING MAIL MATTER.

No. 468,775. Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

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' (No Model.)

' 3 Sheets$heet 3. M. V. B. ETHRIDGE. MACHINE FOR MARKING MAIL MATTER. No. 468,775. Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

WITNESSES- INVENTU 61 vwflfiw e o/ WW MW Q A7 W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN V. BETHRIDGE, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN POSTAL MACHINES COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

MACHINE FOR MARKING MAIL-MATTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,775, dated February 9, 1892. Application filed October 16, 1891. Serial No. 403,944. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN V. B. ETHRIDGE, of Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Marking Mail-Matter, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines for marking letters and other pieces of mail-matter in which a die-cylinder or printing-roll is employed which is normally locked to prevent it from rotating and a driver for said die-cylinder which is engaged with the die-cylinder and causes it to rotate I 5 through the instrumentality of a letter advancing toward the die-cylinder. V

The invention has for its object to provide a simple and efficient machine of this class in which the power required to establish the connection between the die-cylinder and its driver is supplied by an electric motor included in an electric circuit, which is made operative by a letter advancing toward the diecylinder. To this end the invention consists in the improvements which I will now pro ceed to describe and claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machine embodying my 3o invention, the die-cylinder and the clutch portion of the driver being shown in section. Fig. 2 represents a section in line 2 2, Fig. 1, and a top View of a portion of the machine below said line. Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 represents a side view of the die-cylinder. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 represent modifications.

The sameletters and numerals of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, a represents the supporting-frame having a shelf or table a, along which the letters to be marked are carried by means such as a conveying-belt b and pressure devices oo-operating therewith to the feed-rolls and printing mechanism, presently described, and another table a which receives the printed letters and is provided with a packing device, the packing-table being preferably located at a lower plane than the feeding or supply table, so that the printed letters after leaving the table a descend onto the packing-table. The feed-table is preferably formed to continuously support the letters, not only while they are be ing impelled by the carrying-belt, but also while they are under the positive control of the feed-rolls and printing and impression rolls next described.

0 represents the printing-roll or' die-cylin- 6o der, which is located above the table a and is mounted on a fixed tubular journal or sleeve a and rotated by a continuously-rotating driver, which is composed of a shaft or spindle c, passing through said journal or sleeve, and a movable clutch on said shaft, the die-cylinder receiving motion from said driver only when connected therewith by the clutch, which is caused to connect the diecylinder with the shaft by a letter approaching the die-cylinder, as hereinafter described, and maintains the connection until the diecylinder has made a complete rotation, the connection then being automatically discontinued, so that the rotation of the die-cylin- 7 5 der ceases. A clutch or locking device is provided to arrest the die-cylinder and prevent it from rotating loosely at the moment of its disconnection from the shaft, so that the die is at all times positively controlled, said locking device comprising a clutch-surface 0 on the sleeve 0 adapted to engage acorres'ponding surface on the interior of the die-cylinder, and teeth 0 on said sleeve adapted to enter slots or recesses 0 in the lower end of 8 5 the die-cylinder.

An impression-roll d co-operates with the die-cylinder in printing the letters, and the letters are positively presented to the impression-roll and die-cylinder by means of feed- 0 rolls 6 c, arranged to receive the letters from the conveyer Z). The impression-roll is affixed to a shaft (1 and the feed-rolls a care atfixed to shafts e 6 The said shafts 0, cl, e, and c are provided with gears f at their lower 5 ends and are rotated by power communicated from a shaft g by means of a gear g on said shaft meshing with an independent gear and a gear 9 affixed to the shaft 6, a gear 9, affixed to the independent gear g and I00 meshing with the gears f f on the shafts e and d', and a gear g meshing with the gears f f on the shafts e and c, as shown in Fig.

2, the feed-rolls, die-cylinder, driver, and impression-roll being rotated simultaneously by said gearing and 'all receiving motion from the shaft g.

The letter-operating mechanism that engages the diecylinder with its driver is as follows: 0 Fig. 1,representsasleeve adapted to slide on the shaft 0 and connected therewith by means of a feather or spline c on the shaft engaging a groove (not shown) in the sleeve, this connection causing the sleeve to rotate with the shaft and permitting it to slide thereon. The sleeve 0 is provided with a clutch surface or member 0 formed to engage a corresponding clutch surface or member c on the die-cylinder c, said members being preferably formed to act as a clutch of the frictional type, although they may be 2o formed to act positively, if preferred. The sleeve 0 is normally held in th eposition shown in Fig. 1, to make the clutch members inoperative, by means of a sleeve 0, which is mounted to slide on the fixed bearing or sleeve a and is normally raised by a spring 0 into contact with the sleeve 0 A spring 0 is arranged to press the sleeve 0 in the opposite direction, and thus operatively connect the two clutch members; but said spring is weaker 0 than the spring 0 Hence it acts only when the spring 0 and sleeve 0 are retracted, as presently described. The clutch members 0 0 are therefore normally separated by the spring 0 leaving the die-cylinder loose upon 5 its driving-shaft. The upper end of the drivershaft 0 is supported by a bearing 0 affixed to the supporting-frame.

0 is a roll or drum mounted on the shaft 0 and having a cavity which receives the 0 spring 0 said roll being formed to cover the driver-clutch collar 0 and to co-operate with one of the feed-rolls in supporting and guiding the letters. The sleeve 0 is prevented from vrotating by means of a pin or stud z, af-

5 fixed to the sleeve or bearing a and passing through a slot .2 in said sleeve. The electric motor, which establishes the connection between the driver-clutch c and the die-cylinder 0, is here shown as composed of an elec- 5o tro-magnet h, suitably affixed to the supporting-frame, and a lever 7L7, pivoted at 7L8 to the supporting-frame and having attached to it the armature h of the electro-magnet. The swinging end of the lever It bears onafiange on the lower end of the sleeve 0 When the said sleeve is in the position shown in Fig. 1, it raises the lever k and holds the armature 71/ away from the poles of the electro-magnet. The electro-magnet is included in an electric 6o circuit, which also includes a battery 1', or

other source of electricity, and a circuit-closing device, which is arranged to be operated by a letter approaching the feed-rolls e e, the arrangement being such that when the cir- 6 5 cuit is closed through the electro-magnet the armature h is attracted and gives a movement to the lever h which causes the retraction of the sleeve 0 and allows the spring 0 to throw the driver-clutch 0 into engagement with the die-cylinder, thus causing the rotation of the latter.

The circuit-closing deviceincludesa finger j, which is attached to a movable yoke j, mounted on a block 3' which is supported and adapted to oscillate upon the feed-roll shaft ef. Said yoke is normally held by a springj engaged with an arm j on the yoke in the position shown in Fig. 2, the finger j projecting across the path in which a letter moves in entering bet-ween the feed-rolls. The yokej' is provided with another arm f which supports a contact-spring j, said spring being insulated from the arm 9' by a block 3' of rubber or other insulating material. The contact-springj is an electrode and is connected by a wire 5 with one pole of the battery 1'.

The circuit-closing device also includes a con tact-sprin g or electrode j which is supported by an arm or bracketj", affixed to the supporting-frame, and is insulated from said arm by an insulating-block j The electrode j is connected by a wire 6 with one pole of the electro-magnet h. The electrodes j j and the wires 5 and 6 form parts of an electric circuit which includes the battery and the electromagnet, the pole of the battery opposite to the one connected to the wire 5 being connected to one pole of the electro-magnet by a wire 7, while the other pole of the electromagnet is connected with the electrode 7' by the wire 6, as already described. W'hen a letter moving forward between the feed-rolls strikes the fingerj, it displaces the said finger against the stress of the springj thus swinging the yokej and causing the arm 7' to move the electrode j into contact with the electrode j This contact closes the circuit, energizes the electro-magnet h, and causes said magnet to attract its armature h, the result being the movement of the lever 71"", which establishes the connection between the driver-clutch and the die-cylinder, the latter being thus caused to rotate and print the advancing letter. The die-cylinder is provided with a tooth or projection 25, which is arranged to strike an arm j on the yokej' just before the die-cylinder has made a complete rotation, the contact of said tooth with the arm j moving said arm and thus restoring the yoke j, finger j, and arm 7' to their original positions, the finger j being thereby restored to the letter-path and the electrode j" separated from the elec-' trodej thus breaking the circuit and causing the electro-magnet h to release the armature h. The spring 0 then acts to separate the driver-clutch from the die-cylinder and at the same time move the lever it so as to prepare it for. the next operation of establishing the connection between the driver-clutch and the die-cylinder. It will be observed that the yoke j, carrying the electrode 3' constitutes the movable part or member of a circuitcloser, the other member of which is the electrode j It will also be observed that the only accomplish the desired result, the force required to establish the connection between the driver-clutch and the die-cylinder being furnished by the electric motor which is energized by the closing of the circuit.

The form of electric motor here shown, comprising the electro-magnet, an armature therefor, and the lever h attached to the armature, is the simplest and most practicable form at present known to me. I do not limit myself, however, to this particular electric motor, but may use any other suitably-constructed motor adapted when made operative by the closing of an electric circuit to fur" nish the power required to establish a connection between the driver-clutch and the diecylinder.

I am aware that it has been proposed to op ,erate a letter-marking stamp by power furnished by an electric motor included in a circuit which is closed by the movement of a letter, the motor furnishing all the power which operates the stamp and causes it to make an impression upon the letter.

My invention is distinguished from all previous attempts to operate a letter-marking stamp or die by an electric motor in that the motor does not furnish the power which operates thestamp or die, but simply furnishes the power required to establish an operative connection between the printing device or diecylinder and a continuously-operated driver, which is impelled by the power of the machine.

The advantage of my improvement in positiveness and reliability of operation is obvious.

In Fig. 4 I show the lever 7L7 engaged atits swinging end with two flanges on the sleeve 0 so that the lever may move the sleeve in both directions. In this case the spring c that causes the displacement of the driverclutch and the retraction of the armature, would be attachedto the lever 7L and to a suitably-affixed support.

My invention is not limited to the particular construction of devices herein shown, and said construction may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In another application for Letters Patent of the United States filed concurrently herewith I have shown, described, and claimed a machine organized substantially as herein shown, with the exception that the motor is not electrically operated, but is a cylinder provided with a piston adapted to be operated by a fluid under pressure, the admission of said fluid to the cylinder and its exhaust therefrom being controlled by a valve which is moved to one position to cause the motor to establish a connection between the driverclutch and die-cylinder bya movement of an advancing letter and to another position to reset the motor and permit the separation of the driver-clutch from the die-cylinder by the rotation of the die-cylinder caused by the first action of the motor. While,therefore,I have shown in this application several features which are found also in the machine shown in the other above-na med application, I have limited the claims of this application to the features involved by the employment of an electric motor.

If desired, the motor may be operated by breaking the circuit instead of closing it, the circuit being normally closed. In Figs. 5 and 6 I show a suitable arrangement for operat-' ing the motor by breaking the circuit. In this case the movable electrode j is held in contact with the other electrode j by the tramej' when said frame is in its normal position and the fingerj is in the letter-path. The lever 71 is extended rearwardly beyond its pivot h and the armature h is attached to the rear end of the lever, as shown in Fig. 6, the electro-magnet h being correspondingly located. It will be seen that when the finger j is displaced by the advancing letter the circuit will be broken, thus causing the release of the armature h. The spring 0 is thus permitted to act in connecting the driver-clutch c with the die-cylinder. The circuit is closed by the action of the tooth or projection 25 on the die-cylinder during the latter part of the rotation thereof, the magnet thus being caused to attract its armature and thus move the lever 7L so as to displace the d river-clutch and stop the rotation of the die-cylinder. The lever h is in this case engaged with two flanges on the sleeve 0, so that it moves said sleeve positively in both directions. In this modification the spring 0 is not required.

I claim 1. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination of a die-cylinder, a driver having a clutch normally separatedfrom the die-cylinder and adapted to be engaged therewith, an electric motor, and devices controlled by said motor whereby a connection between the driver-clutch and die-cylinder is established when the motor is actuated, an electric circuit including said motor, and a device operatcd by an advancing letter to control the circuit, as set forth.

2. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination of a die-cylinder, a driver having a clutch normally separated from the die-cylinder and adapted to be engaged therewith, an electric motor, and devices controlled by said motor wherebya connection between the driver-clutch and die-cylinder is established when the motor is actuated, an electric circuit including said motor, a make-andbreak device operated in one direction by an advancing letter, and devices operated by the resulting rotation of the die-cylinder to move the make-and-break device in the other direc tion, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination of a die-cylinder, a driver having a clutch normally separated from the die-cylinder and adapted to be engaged therewith, an electric motor, devices controlled by said motor whereby a connection between the clutch and die-cylinder is established when the motor is actuated, an electric circuit including said motor, a circuit-closing device including a movable part or member having a finger normally in the letter-path, the circuit being closed to energize the motor by the displacementof said movable member by an advancing letter, means for restoring said movable member to its normal position by the rotation of the die-cylinder, whereby the circuit is broken, and a device, such as a spring 0 whereby the motor is reset for its next operation and the driver-clutch is separated from the die-cylinder, as set forth.

4. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination of a die-cylinder, a driver having a clutch normally separated from the die-cylinder and adapted to be engaged therewith, an electric motor, devices controlled by said motor whereby a connection between the driver-clutch and die-cylinder is established when the motor is actuated, an electric circuit including said motor, a circuitcloser including a movable part or member having a finger held in the letter-path, and

an electrode included in the circuit, said electrode being moved to close the circuit and energize the motor by the displacement of said finger, and a projection on the die-cylinder arranged to restore the movable member of the circuit-closer to its normal position during the rotation of the die-cylinder and thereby break the circuit, and a device, such as a spring 0 adapted to reset the motor and shaft and a clutch thereon movable toward and from the die-cylinder, a clutch-spring adapted to engage said clutch with the die cylinder, a stronger spring which normally overcomes the clutch-spring and separates the clutch from the die-cylinder, an electric motor including an electro-magnet, a lever attached to the armature of said magnet and arranged to retract said stronger spring when moved by the attraction of the armature by the magnet, thus permitting the. driver-clutch to engage and rotate the die-cylinder, an electric circuit including said magnet, and a circuit-closing device operated by an advancing letter to close the circuit and thereby energize the electro-magnet, as set forth.

6. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination of a die-cylinder, a driver therefor including a continuously rotated shaft and a clutch thereon movable toward and from the die-cylinder, a clutch-spring adapted to engage said clutch with the diecylinder, a stronger spring which normally overcomes the clutch-spring and separates the clutch from the die-cylinder, an electric motor including an electro-magnet, a lever attached to the armature of said magnet and arranged to retract said stronger spring when moved by the attraction of the armature by the magnet, thus permitting the driver-clutch to engage and rotate the die-cylinder, an electric circuit including said magnet, a movable circuit-closing device arranged to be operated by an advancing letter to close the circuit, and a device, such as the projection t, operated by the rotation of the die-cylinder to break the circuit, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 9th day of October, A. D. 1891.

MARTIN V. B. ETHRIDGE. Witnesses:

U. F. BROWN, I A. D. HARRISON. 

